Quinan Quote: What happens when a boy grows up with only sisters
Mom: Quinan, you know you have school tomorrow, right?
Quinan: I do? What am I going to wear?
08/24/2009 | michele | Comment [2]
Switched on
When I was a child, I remember our home being filled with the sounds of Beethoven, Handel, Bach and Mozart. Especially Sundays when my dad was home. I remember the pounding rhythm of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, the dynamic ‘lectric sounds of Switched on Bach and the sacred message of Handel’s Messiah.
Then I got older. And my appreciation for classical music, well slowly depreciated. I (much to my parents chagrin), began to enjoy music of my era (circa the ’80s). U2, REM, and Rush.
Now this isn’t to say I only listened to Rock ‘n’ Roll. I also really got into Jazz and Big Band music in high school (via positive influence of my friends). My brother Trevor let me copy some of his father-in-laws LPs (such as) on to cassette tape (Kenn says “RETRO”). This is where I was introduced to the Brazilian Jazz Classic Desafinado popularized by Stan Getz & Joaoo Gilberto (probably before I was born). Of course performing in the High School Concert and Jazz band helped keep my musical interests broad.
I even flirted with listening to classical a bit as a teen. Enjoying the dark (Harry Potteresqe) overtones of Stravinsky.
Marva and Karen would watch “The Sound of Music” every single stinkin’ time it came on TV. My testosterone kicked in and I tired of Julie Andrews pretty quick. I learned to loathe that movie. It’s ironic that “Mary Poppins,” and “The Sound of Music” are probably my two favorite movies.
As I matured (okay I’m still immature, as I have aged) I gained an appreciation for The Church’s many beloved hymns. This last weekend while waiting for the adult session of Stake Conference to begin, I was listening to the prelude while Michele chatted quietly with a friend. I noticed the organist was playing “In Humility, Our Savior.” I’ve never heard this simple hymn as prelude. As I reflected on it’s message, I was being prepared for the messages that would be delivered later that night. This is but one of many spiritual experiences with hymns.
But I never fell in love with classical music.
I recently read Elder Doug Callister’s talk Our Refined Heavenly Home and reflected on many ways that I lack talent and taste. And how can you not be moved by Oscar Wilde’s quote “After playing Chopin, I feel as if I had been weeping over sins that I had never committed, and mourning over tragedies that were not my own.”
Sometime during Stake Conference this last weekend, one of the visiting Authorities, said (paraphrasing), modern “music is marketing.” I have thought about that all week. You know what, he’s right (Michele’s says duh). Not convinced? Just watch any iPod commercial from the last few years.
This morning I realized that I don’t really enjoy the current and classic pop music my coworkers listen to. It’s familiar, but leaves an empty taste (like drinking diet soda).
I pulled out a pair of headphones, logged in to last.fm, thought “what would Michele listen to” and started playing a Claude Debussy station.
Do you know what? For the first time in my life I loved (not just enjoyed) listening to classical music.
08/20/2009 | hugh | Classic Rock or Classical? (Comment) [1]
Sewing
I’ve been wanting to learn how to sew for a while, and I learned how to hand-stitch quilt and I taught myself how to make bags. While my grandma was visiting our family, I learned how to sew a skirt, that I now wear to church, using patterns. I was digging through a bucket of old sewing stuff when I found some patterns for making Barbie clothes that I got when I wanted to make my own barbie clothes when I was little. I decided I could make some of the clothes and give to little girls on holidays, or even sell them online! We’ll see how that goes soon, I guess.
08/16/2009 | jen | Comment [3]
Girls Camp
I’m going to Girls Camp for the 1st time on Tuesday!!! I’m so excited. I’ve only heard good things about camp except for the bugs and you don’t get enough sleep. Plus, my mom won’t be there. Remember her going to camp when I was about 5 or 6, and we were used to her going! (it’s odd that every time I grow older, my mom gets a totally different calling. I moved into primary, she moved out. I got into Young Womens, she got out.) The girls in the same tent as I, will be my fellow first year friends! I’m just so excited!!!!!! I can’t wait, and Monday will seem to take forever while I’m waiting. I’ll just be asking questions to Kenn and my mom about camp ALL day.
08/02/2009 | jen | Comment [1]
Possibly New Member To The Roper Family!
On July 14th, Kennerley went outside to water the garden. She heard a meow coming from under the experimental raised garden box. When she looked under it, she didn’t really see anything. Earlier, one of the stray white cats was hanging out under there.
About six hours later, after dinner, we went to see what it was. It was a little kitten! It was only about a day or two old, its eyes still closed! We waited to see if the mom would come back, but she didn’t. We tried to find an animal hospital, but they were all closed. We got some advice and cat milk replacer and bottle from Pet Co., and started to take care of the poor kitty.
If it turns out to be a guy, we’re going to name him Forta, the music term for loud, since he meows a lot, and loudly. If it’s a girl, we’re, going to name her Gabby.
07/16/2009 | jen | Comments Or Advice On Caring For Kittens
Summer Camp
I spent this last week at summer camp with our scouts. I had a terrific time and it was great to see the boys learn new skills, have fun and show scout spirt.
But, it’s great to be home. There nothing quite like my wonderful wife and family.
06/27/2009 | hugh | What are you doing this summer? [1]
Family Chaos
Sometimes the funniest thing about my family is the every day chaos. We were waiting for family home evening to start and Kennerley was in the living room practicing the piano, I was in the family room at the computer with Jensen sitting on the couch reading a book to Hugh with Quinan sitting on the other end of the couch playing a guitar while singing, “I love rock-n-roll.” I just started laughing because I have no idea how anyone could do anything there was so much chaotic noise. Just an everyday occurrence around here.
06/15/2009 | michele | Comment
I LOVE SUMMER!!!!!!!
I love that by 9:00 am we are just getting started instead of already feeling like I have half my day over. I love that I can stay up later than 9:00 pm without thinking the whole time “I am really going to regret this tomorrow.” I love that I can enjoy the day and still have time to get things done! I love the heat (well, we haven’t really had that yet – but I am looking forward to it) I love making lemon bars which for some reason just taste the best in the summer. I love that I am not rushing around like a crazy woman taking kids someplace, picking up kids from someplace, taking them again. I don’t think I have ever appreciated summer as much as I do this year. Everyday I say to myself, “I love summer!”
What is your favorite part of summer?
06/11/2009 | michele | Comment [1]
Fruits and Veggies
The past few months our family has really strived to eat more fruits and vegetables. Actually not only eat more but have fruits and vegetables be our primary source of food.
One of the reasons for this was an article I came across which stated the following information: “Since the early 1900s, significant changes have occurred in the American diet. In 1909 about 60 to 70 percent of our caloric intake came from whole garden foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. We consumed less than 20% of our calories from animal-based sources, and less than 20 percent of our calories were consumed from oils, sugar, and other refined and processed foods. As the food industry has perfected the most profitable way to sell food, our intake of meat has more than doubled per person; fat intake has more than doubled; cheese and soda intakes have risen 7 times; intake of sugar has more than doubled; intake of salad oils has risen 13 times; intake of fresh garden produce is 13 times less; and we consume 100 pounds less grain per person per year. The U.S. now consumes 42 percent of its calories from animal-based foods; 51 percent from refined and processed foods; and 7 percent from whole garden foods.”
From some reason this really struck something in me when I read it and as a result we have dabbled in having our primary source of food come from fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and legumes. I have to say it is not easy. And its not easy because processed or man-made foods are made to taste so good so we often fall back to those delicious chips. At least that is what does it more me. So one of my goals this summer is to really get my body used to eating only fruits and vegetables. I have found some recipes that fit in that I have started trying out and I have to say I am pretty surprised how good they taste. Another problem I have had in eating this way is that I love to cook and I love trying new recipes. It seems sometimes like there isn’t so much you can make when eating fruits and vegetables. But so far these recipes have kept the chef part of me satisfied. The funny thing is that the times in the past when we have tried eating this way we always feel great and have more energy and then somehow get sucked back into the processed foods, oils, sugars, etc. I wonder why that is when we can actually feel the difference?
Please share if you have any recipes using no oils, processed items, etc. Or if you are successful in finding ways not to eat those yummy chips. Can you tell chips are my downfall?
05/31/2009 | michele | Comment [2]
WE ARE BACK!!!
Yea! We only have 4 more days of school left and only one of those is a whole day. I think I am more excited than the kids!
I couple of years ago there was an article in the Washington Post, Pearls Before Breakfast. This article is long so if you don’t want to read it here is a quick summary (though I HIGHLY recommend reading it). The writer of the article did an experiment. He placed Joshua Bell – a very accomplished violinist in a busy subway station during the morning rush hour dressed in street clothes. Joshua Bell played and they video taped how many people would stop and listen. “His performance was arranged by The Washington Post as an experiment in context, perception and priorities — as well as an unblinking assessment of public taste: In a banal setting at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend? The musician did not play popular tunes whose familiarity alone might have drawn interest. That was not the test. These were masterpieces that have endured for centuries on their brilliance alone, soaring music befitting the grandeur of cathedrals and concert halls.” This article has made such an impression on me because so many people not only did not stop to listen but many did not even notice. I am often afraid that if I had been there I would have been one of those who had not even noticed. I get so focused on what I need to do that I don’t notice the beauty around me. I know I miss alot. So I have really been trying not to rush through life. But slow down and enjoy it. Well, this past school year I didn’t do so well with that. There was to much new stuff our family went through and life got rather crazy.
So yea I am going to get back to slowing down my life. As I am getting back to living life and not just being in life I also need to do 2 things. #1 – get my house under control. It is messy and dirty and I need to clean it and organize it. #2 – get in better health by eating better and getting into shape.
Of course I will be trying to do these thing – along with enjoying whatever is going on – while I try to keep 3 kids from being bored and fitting in a busy church calling. So wish me luck!
What do you want to do with your summer?